Relationship marijuna and schizophrenia

Several studies have linked marijuana use to increased risk for psychiatric disorders, including psychosis (schizophrenia), depression, anxiety, and substance. A new study points to cannabis as a trigger for schizophrenia. The research finds that smoking pot or using cannabis in other ways during Previous studies have identified a link between cannabis use and read more. Cannabis & Psychosis · Home · Q/A · Experience · Facts · About/Contact · Resources · Français. Cannabis & Psychosis. EXPLORE THE LINK. QUESTIONS .

For example, although obesity in the West is increasing and is a known cause of heart disease, the risk of suffering fatal heart disease is going down.

The reason for this is a third factor: If cannabis potency is increasing and rates of schizophrenia are not, a similar third factor may explain this. Perhaps the answer is in those brief experiences we have when we use cannabis. This week results from our online survey thecannabissurvey.

We asked 1, cannabis users about their experiences when they used cannabis and calculated a "pleasurable experiences score" and a "psychotic-like experiences score".

We then asked the participants if they were continuing to use cannabis, or if they were thinking of quitting in the future. Those who reported the most pleasurable experiences continued to use the drug and had no intention of quitting. Those with higher psychotic-like experiences had either stopped or were thinking of quitting in the future. The experience you have with the drug determines whether you continue to use it or not, regardless of your age, sex, mental health history or other drugs you have used.

Interestingly, this might mean that the people at highest risk are the very ones who are quitting. Other studies suggest that, compared with healthy controls, people with schizophrenia have more psychotic-like experiences when they use cannabis. And those at higher risk of schizophrenia — that is, people with genetic or psychological risk factors for the disease — tend to have more psychotic-like experiences.

This means the link is not coincidental, and one has actually caused the other. Does cannabis cause mental illness?

Who is at risk? People with certain gene variants seem to be at higher risk. Those with these genetic variants who have also experienced childhood trauma, or have a paranoid personality type, are even more at-risk. So too are adolescents and young adults, who have growing brains and are at an age where schizophrenia is more likely to manifest.

As mentioned above, this is due to the psychological effects of the chemical THC one of over cannabinoids found in the plant. Even healthy people given THC can experience psychotic symptoms including paranoia. On the flip side, he says that among people with psychosis, discontinuing cannabis use has also been found to improve mood and anxiety and reduce psychotic symptoms.

Another separate review of a dozen studies that recently appeared in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry found cannabis use was associated with poorer symptomatic outcomes in people who suffered from various anxiety and other mood disorders, including depression. He also says that further complicating matters is that some research suggests there could be benefits from using CBD to treat psychosis.

But at this point, he and his colleagues believe the risks outweigh any possible benefits.

Manseau warn that what is available on the streets today is not the same as it was a few decades ago. Manseau points out that this is worrisome since other studies show that using high THC marijuana increases the risk of psychosis.

Medical Marijuana for Schizophrenia: Weighing the Risks and Benefits

This makes it much more dangerous, especially for people who are susceptible to psychotic reactions. A First-Hand Account While most medical experts have studied the impact of cannabis on schizophrenia in others or have read the latest literature, Julie A. She draws on her experiences as a person living with a mental illness to assist mental health professionals. Since she has first-hand knowledge of what it feels like to be psychotic, her insights are particularly helpful in teaching doctors how to support their patients when they are experiencing an episode.

Why Do People Use Marijuana: I see people as dangers to myself and am not able to process information in a normal way.

He also says that some people believe that since they know marijuana with high THC is dangerous, they will just take more care with what they use [in terms of THC content]. I tried medical marijuana to manage this pain. And even with very careful use of the product, with all of my education and planning, I had the worst psychotic episode of my life. I know that people are going to use it.